Imaging apparatus

Abstract

Output control is separately performed on pixels corresponding to a plurality of different regions (ROIs) in the entire region of an imaging element. An imaging element that captures an image of a subject includes first and second pixels. First and second analog-to-digital converters convert pixel signals from the first and second pixels from an analog value to a digital value. A first switch supplies a pixel signal from the first pixel to any one of the first and second analog-to-digital converters. A second switch supplies a pixel signal from the second pixel to any one of the first and second analog-to-digital converters.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a first pixel and a second pixel of an imaging element configured to capture an image of a subject, wherein 
 the first pixel corresponds to a first region, and 
 the second pixel corresponds to a second region that at least partially overlaps with the first region in a column direction; 
 a third pixel and a fourth pixel of the imaging element; 
 a first analog-to-digital converter and a second analog-to-digital converter configured to convert a pixel signal from the first pixel and the second pixel from an analog value to a digital value; 
 a first switch configured to supply a first pixel signal from the first pixel to the first analog-to-digital converter; 
 a second switch configured to supply a second pixel signal from the second pixel to the second analog-to-digital converter; 
 a third switch configured to:
 supply a third pixel signal from the third pixel to the first analog-to-digital converter based on the third pixel that corresponds to the first region; and 
 supply the third pixel signal from the third pixel to the second analog-to-digital converter based on the third pixel that corresponds to the second region; and 
 
 a fourth switch configured to:
 supply a fourth pixel signal from the fourth pixel to the first analog-to-digital converter based on the fourth pixel that corresponds to the first region; and 
 supply the fourth pixel signal from the fourth pixel to the second analog-to-digital converter based on the fourth pixel that corresponds to the second region. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of imaging circuits that includes:
 the first pixel, the second pixel, the third pixel, and the fourth pixel, 
 the first analog-to-digital converter and the second analog-to-digital converter, and 
 the first switch, the second switch, the third switch and the fourth switch. 
 
     
     
       3. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first flip-flop configured to hold a first digital signal outputted from the first analog-to-digital converter; and 
 a second flip-flop configured to hold a second digital signal outputted from the second analog-to-digital converter. 
 
     
     
       4. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 3  further comprising
 an output switch configured to select the first digital signal and the second digital signal held by the first flip-flop and the second flip-flop to be outputted to any one of a first output unit and second output unit. 
 
     
     
       5. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the first pixel corresponds to the first region, 
 the second pixel corresponds to the second region, 
 the first switch is further configured to supply the first pixel signal of the first pixel to the first analog-to-digital converter, 
 the second switch is further configured to supply the second pixel signal of the second pixel to the second analog-to-digital converter, and 
 the output switch is further configured to:
 output the first digital signal outputted from the first analog-to-digital converter to the first output unit; and 
 output the second digital signal outputted from the second analog-to-digital converter to the second output unit. 
 
 
     
     
       6. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a first pixel and a second pixel of an imaging element configured to capture an image of a subject, wherein 
 the first pixel corresponds to a first region, and 
 the second pixel corresponds to a second region that at least partially overlaps with the first region in a column direction; 
 a third pixel and a fourth pixel of the imaging element; 
 a first analog-to-digital converter and a second analog-to-digital converter configured to convert a pixel signal from the first pixel and the second pixel from an analog value to a digital value; 
 a first switch configured to:
 supply a first pixel signal from the first pixel to the first analog-to-digital converter; 
 supply a third pixel signal from the third pixel to the first analog-to-digital converter based on the third pixel that corresponds to the first region; and 
 supply the third pixel signal from the third pixel to the second analog-to-digital converter based on the third pixel that corresponds to the second region; and 
 
 a second switch configured to:
 supply a second pixel signal from the second pixel to the second analog-to-digital converter; 
 supply a fourth pixel signal from the fourth pixel to the first analog-to-digital converter based on the fourth pixel that corresponds to the first region; and 
 supply the fourth pixel signal from the fourth pixel to the second analog-to-digital converter based on the fourth pixel that corresponds to the second region. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of imaging circuits that includes:
 the first pixel, the second pixel, the third pixel, and the fourth pixel, 
 the first analog-to-digital converter and the second analog-to-digital converter, and 
 the first switch and the second switch.